North American Vampire Council & Past Calling (Hypernaturals 12 & 13)

Let Them Work

"Ken...." Cherlynn was at a loss for words. She looked at him with a storm of emotions crossing her face.

Finally, she did the right thing (I thought) and went to him for a hug. She buried her face into his shoulder, and she cried.

I took that as a hopeful sign.

"You need to get into there, Jessica. Her father is really in awful shape." Morgan told Jessica with urgency but in Vampire sub-vocals so as not to disturb the family reunion, not to mention give away certain knowledge Morgan should not have yet.

"Skin infections. Some Gangrene started." I supported Morgan using the same undertones. I know gangrene from my first day as a Vampire. A scent I will never forget.

Morgan and I knew about all of this from the scents before the door opened. Now the sickroom odors should be wafting to Jessica, Denise, Helen, and Vera.

Angel is lost in the emotional reunion of the couple and doesn't have Vampire olfactory capabilities, so she has not snapped to it yet.

Jessica stepped up to the embracing couple. "Ken. I have to see your father-in-law. He is very ill."

Jessica used her Doctor-voice, and when she does that she is not to be denied. Ken gave her a nod, not wondering with arms full of Cherlynn how Jessica knew that.

Jessica brushed past and went inside, her medical bag in hand.

Cherlynn pulled herself together, wiped at her face, and looked around, asking "Who is that?"

"Jessica Sagan. Medical Doctor." Ken explained.

"Oh? You knew to bring a Doctor? How? I couldn't call you." Cherlynn wiped at her face.

"I didn't. Lucky she came is all." Ken told her. He has no idea why he is lucky about that. He is going along unquestioning with the authority of the Doctor for now. Ken has been rolling with enough punches lately that this one is nothing.

Cherlynn looked past Ken at all the rest of us, still snuffling from her crying. "Who are they?"

"Members of a detective agency. How I found you. It was not easy." Ken kept it very short. I thought using that direct of an answer well advised. Explained a lot, without distracting with details.

I listened inside the house. Jessica talking to a girl and a woman, and the high-pitched voice of a man complaining.

I stepped up to the porch level to help Ken out. "Cherlynn. My name is Adrian Sagan. I am part of the agency Ken retained to find you." I showed her my credentials unasked. Sometimes that helps focus things. I went on with a nod to the house: "The woman in there is my wife and an experienced medical doctor, and she specializes in emergency and field treatments."

"Oh?" Cherlynn looked back inside and seemed slightly cheered at the news. Judging by the scents I am getting from the open door, she should be.

I made a gesture to the inside to attract Cherlynn's attention since I know she is mentally scrambling to catch up. "I am going to go help Jessica with your father now, as he is not being cooperative." I laid it out in the closest to Jessica's doctor-voice I could manage. Authority you do not question.

A querulous voice was plainly audible from inside to punctuate.

Cherlynn wiped at her face and nodded her agreement.

"What's wrong with your dad, Cherlynn?" Ken asked.

'So very much, Ken' I thought to myself. I did not stay for the answer or listen to it. My focus now on Jessica and helping her.